U.S. Government contribution for UNICEF
Congressional Update: In July, both the House and the Senate Appropriations Committees considered bills to fund U.S. foreign affairs in Fiscal Year 2011, including the U.S. annual contribution to UNICEF. We are pleased to report that both House and Senate versions provide $134 million for UNICEF—that is nearly $2 million more than UNICEF received this year. Given the extremely difficult budget environment, that is an important show of support from the U.S. Congress for UNICEF's work.
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America will support these efforts through a comprehensive, global health strategy… In the 21st century, we are called to act by our conscience but also by our common interest, because when a child dies of a preventable disease in Accra, that diminishes us everywhere. President Barack Obama |
Background
© U.S. Fund for UNICEF/Telford
At the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, we appreciate President Obama's commitment to advancing the U.S. Government's support for child survival.
But as the President himself noted in this speech, Americans can't do it alone—America needs partners to achieve its goal to save children's lives.
There is simply no better partner in child survival than UNICEF. Whether changing lives by digging a well in a remote village, or changing minds in the halls of the world's governments; delivering medical supplies via donkey, or building schools that give even the poorest kids an education, UNICEF has saved more children than any other humanitarian organization in the world. In partnership with the U.S. Government and the American people, UNICEF helped cut the world's child mortality rate in half since 1960.
Sadly, however, in too many poor countries and communities around the world, far too many children still die unnecessarily. Every year, 8.8 million children under five years old die from mostly preventable causes; half of those are children under one year old. Pneumonia and diarrhea alone account for a third of all child deaths; malnutrition plays a role in up to half of child deaths.
We believe that number should be ZERO! UNICEF has shown that it is possible to cut child deaths even in poor countries by giving families access to a range of proven, low-cost interventions like immunizations, nutrition, mosquito nets, and others. And UNICEF doesn't stop there – UNICEF is also a leader in promoting quality basic education for all boys and girls, and protecting children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS.
The U.S. Government's contribution to UNICEF is part of America's global investment in children. This annual contribution to UNICEF's regular budget is critical to UNICEF's work in child survival and development. In addition, the U.S. contribution allows UNICEF to partner with the United States in responding to humanitarian needs due to natural disasters and conflicts, and to address threats to children such as trafficking and sexual exploitation.
Although part of the United Nations system, UNICEF does not receive any of the assessed dues that the United States and other nations contribute to the UN. All of the funding UNICEF receives is provided on a voluntary basis, with about two-thirds of contributions coming from governments, and the other third coming from citizens, private businesses, and foundations.
FY 2011 Appropriations
Every fiscal year, the U.S. Congress must pass appropriations legislation to fund U.S. Government programs and agencies, including the contribution to UNICEF.
This is a time of great opportunity for child survival. With strong U.S. support, UNICEF can help lead efforts to reduce dramatically child deaths worldwide over the next decade. That is why for FY 2011, we ask the U.S. Congress to invest $140 million in UNICEF to help save children's lives and protect their futures.
Chairs of the House and Senate appropriations subcommittees responsible for UNICEF's funding need to hear that their fellow Members of Congress support UNICEF's request. YOU CAN HELP by urging your Members of Congress to support $140 million for UNICEF for FY 2011.
Take Action Now
Contact your Senators and Representatives, urging them to send letters to the chairs of appropriations subcommittees in support of $140 million for the U.S. contribution to UNICEF in FY 2011!
